Page 72 of Unrelenting
“Are you Signorina Lazaro?” He asks in English, tinged with a distinctly Russian accent.
The hairs at the back of my neck prickle. This cannot be good. Although I’ve seen Lorenzo at the restaurant with Russian friends, I don’t remember this guy.
“How did you get in here?”
The man smiles, but it’s not reassuring. “Your neighbor let me in.”
Ugh! Maurizio, no doubt. He’s far too trusting.
“What can I do for you,signore?”
“Shall we return to your apartment?” he suggests.
“I….”
He unfastens the button on his jacket and opens the flap to show me he has a gun in a holster at his waist. My heart lurches.
“I have no wish to hurt you,dushka.”
Using the endearment is an obvious ploy to make me feel at ease. It doesn’t work. How am I supposed to trust some man who turns up at my door and flashes a gun at me?
“But you will if you have to, right?”
He smiles grimly. I turn and walk back upstairs with him following close behind. I open the door and walk inside. My unwanted visitor closes the door behind us.
“What do you want, Signore…..?”
“Barevsky. My name is Adam Barevsky and what I want is a simple conversation with an acquaintance of yours.”
I don’t need to be a genius to work out who he’s talking about. “Lorenzo?”
“Yes, though it’s actually his cousin I wish to speak to.”
“I don’t know his cousin.”
“You haven’t met Gio Volante?”
“No.” I take a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves. “If you’re looking for Lorenzo, why come here?”
“Everybody knows you and he are lovers, Ms. Lazaro. I’m sure you’ve tried to keep it private, but ours is a small world.”
“I see, but that still doesn’t explain why you would come here looking for him.”
“Lorenzo and his cousin gave my men the slip at a boutique a few streets away. They’ll look for somewhere close to lay low.Your apartment is the obvious choice and if he doesn’t come here, you can call him for me.”
I’m debating if I can call Lorenzo and lure him here into what may be a trap when the buzzer for the front door goes.
Adan smiles. “I want you to pretend all is well and let him in.”
Trying not to let my nerves get the better of me, I go and press the button on the intercom.
“Hello.”
“It’s me,gattina,” Lorenzo says. “Let me in.”
“Of course, my love.” I’ve never called him that before but I fear it’s not enough of a hint to let him know there’s a problem. “Come on up.”
Adan opens the door for him and then grabs my shoulders, steering me into the living room.
